Glacier National Park (in distance), Flathead River Valley, near Kalispell, Mt. (click image to enlarge)

Stopping at roadside historical markers is a pleasant way to break the monotony of a long drive. I took this photo in 2012 at the marker for the Somers Spur Line that once connected the Great Northern Railway in Kalispell to a sawmill and steamboat terminal on the shores of Flathead Lake.

I was traveling to Glacier National Park, but first I had an overnight stop near the town of Whitefish, Mt.

Amtrak Station (original Northern Pacific Depot), Whitefish Montana (click image to enlarge)

The town of Whitefish was built by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1901. At that time, the site was heavily forested so the company first cut down the trees to use as railroad ties, and then they built the town, railroad depot and switch yard. The tree cutters  left the stumps standing in vacant lots and along the roadways; the town was called Stumpville for a time.

Carto

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